It seems that the financial problem of Hidilyn Diaz is now over after Senator Christopher “Bong” Go helped her to get a sponsorship from a Petroleum company.
On Thursday afternoon, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz who’s known for getting a silver medal in the 2016 Olympics personally went to Malacanang to receive the PHP2-million sponsorship deal with Phoenix Petroleum to help her to prepare for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Diaz witnessed the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Phoenix Petroleum.
PSC chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez and Phoenix President Raymond Zorilla signed the MOA in front of Diaz and Go.
The agreement reads that Diaz may use the P2-M as food allowance, housing allowance, a transporation allowance, overseas training allowance, strength, and conditioning coach allowance and etc.
According to Go, they heard the complaint of Hidilyn Diaz two months ago saying that she’s lack of budget to prepare for the 2020 Olympics.
“Nagreklamo siya. Sabi naman ng PSC, hindi nila kayang sagutin lahat kasi may ibang requirements sa pagti-training, sa mga coaches niya, medyo mahal, so sabi ko hanap ako ng mga kaibigan na puwedeng tumulong,” Go told reporters.
Meanwhile, Hidilyn Diaz thanked the people behind the sponsorship deal, saying that it’s a big help for her to train effectively and get a gold medal for the Philippines.
“Malaking bagay yun kasi maglalaro ako sa Olympics, and there’s a lot of competition that I need to compete in preparation towards the Olympics. Medyo mahirap, so may core team ako and I’m so grateful for the help, for the support they’ve given,” she said.
Diaz became controversial two months ago after she posted an Instagram story asking private companies to sponsor her.
“It is okay to ask sponsorship sa mga private companies towards Tokyo 2020? Hirap na hirap na ako, I need financial support.” Diaz said.
“Sa tingin niyo ba okay lang kaya nahihiya kasi ako pero try ko kapalan mukha ko para sa minimithi kong pangarap para sa atin bansa na maiuwi ang Gold Medal sa Olympics,” she added.
However, PSC said that they’re in full support of Diaz citing that the weightlifter receives PHP48,000-month allowance, housing and food, coach and foreign training allowance.
Last year, PSC revealed that Diaz received a total of P3-M from the government.